{"numbering":"no_numbering","slides":[{"title":"Who is for real?","video":"xbYi_MO3xkvS","thumbnail":{"uri":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/short_form_video/hero/101820_MAIOCCO_HIT_SITE.jpg","alt":"Matt Maiocco explains how 49ers bounced back with huge 24-16 win over Rams","title":"Matt Maiocco explains how 49ers bounced back with huge 24-16 win over Rams"},"credit":"Getty Images","published":1603227462,"caption":"

We entered Week 6 of the NFL season having left some teams buried for dead while hoisting others up onto a pedestal.

My how things can change in a week.

The 49ers burst out of the grave and threw the kitchen sink at the Los Angeles Rams, saving their season with an impressive 24-16 win.

We made a lot of jokes at Tom Brady's expense. I mean, getting old can't be fun. It turns out, all the old GOAT needed was a dominant defensive performance and a throwback game from an old friend to take down the Green Bay Packers.

Speaking of Aaron Rodgers, the Packers looked the part of a Super Bowl contender through the first four weeks but folded quicker than a piece of paper in an origami class in Tampa Bay.

The Miami Dolphins got back to .500 and then promptly opted for Tua Time, while those pesky Chicago Bears just keep on winning.

Let's get into the five of the topics that are dominating the NFL after Week 6 and decide whether or not they are true or false.

"},{"title":"Aaron Rodgers and the Packers are frauds","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Rodgers_A_Getty_0.jpg","credit":"Getty Images","published":1603229185,"caption":"

True or false: True

The Packers swaggered into Raymond James Stadium like the 16-year-old quarterback who just had the night of his life at prom.

Things went horribly after that, as Rodgers threw for 160 yards and two interceptions in the 38-10 loss.

Looking back at the Packers' first four games, it's easy to see how we might have overrated a team led by one of the most talented throwers of in the history of football.

Rodgers was playing at an MVP level, yes. But the Packers' defense had faced three teams without their main weapons. They faced the Lions without Kenny Golladay, the Saints without Michael Thomas and the Falcons without Julio Jones, and still gave up 22 points per game in those contests.

The Packers' defense came back to Earth a bit against a Bucs team with a full arsenal, but the main concern should be what a physical Bucs defense did to the Packers without defensive tackle Vita Vea.

The Bucs held Aaron Jones to 15 yards and 10 carries and turned the Packers' play-action-centric offense into mush. Once behind, they pressured Rodgers relentlessly and Green Bay had no counter.

Rodgers and the Packers remain a shiny toy that people want to be a real contender. But they buckle when punched in the mouth and rarely get back up and counter. It seems this year is no different.

"},{"title":"End of the road for Wentz and Baker","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Wentz_C_Mayfield_B_Getty.jpg","credit":"Getty Images","published":1603229758,"caption":"

True or false: False

It's hard to blame Carson Wentz for all the issues that have gone on with the Eagles this season and last. Their team is once again decimated by injuries. He's once again throwing to list of guys you've never heard of. Over his past 16 games, Wentz has a QBR of 55.9. That's not good, but it's also only slightly worse than Tom Brady (58.6) and no one is trying to send him into exile.

But Wentz just doesn't look the part anymore. His should-have-been MVP season is long in the past. He hasn't looked like that guy since his return. He's too turnover prone and he's posted career-lows for completion percentage and yards per attempt this year.

Every game he shows flashes of the unique playmaking ability that excited the Eagles when they drafted him out of North Dakota State.

The flashes tell me the Eagles should stick with him a little longer and give him a real supporting cast, but the clock is ticking on his time in Philly.

As for Mayfield, he's not even two years removed from a rookie campaign that was exceptional. Perhaps defenses have figured him out. Or perhaps he's only had a handful of games with an actual head coach in Kevin Stefanski and played last week's game while hobbled with a rib ailment.

Mayfield is great when on the move and in the play-action game. He's not so good when asked to stand in the pocket and pick apart defenses. He's an improviser. A gambler. The Browns have to let him be him and design the offense around what he does best.

I still believe Mayfield can be a good NFL quarterback, but now it's time for him to prove he can play at a high level on a consistent basis.

"},{"title":"Raiders should feel good about their playoff chances","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Carr_D_Getty.jpg","credit":"Getty Images","published":1603230715,"caption":"

True or false: False

The win over the Chiefs was impressive, no doubt. It was a huge moment for Derek Carr and Jon Gruden to show that they could compete with the NFL's best.

But one win a contender doesn't make.

The Raiders are 3-2 and will, at the very least, survive their early-season gauntlet at 3-3. The teams they are competing with for the final two playoff spots -- the Colts, Browns, Patriots, Dolphins, Broncos and Chargers -- haven't exactly impressed through six weeks.

Their path is clear, and win Sunday over the Bucs will put them in a great position.

That being said, it's impossible to trust a team with a defense that made me want to scratch my eyes at times this season.

Through five games, the Raiders rank 27th in points allowed (30.4), 24th in yards per play (393.6), 22nd in rushing yards (126.8) and 25th in passing yards per game (266.8).

Those just aren't numbers you can hang your hat on when trying to make a playoff push.

The offense has been better when healthy and Carr has been good. But I want to see the Raiders do it before I say they can feel good about grabbing either the No. 6 or No. 7 seed in the AFC.

"},{"title":"It's the right moment for Tua Time","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Tagovailoa_T_Getty_1281288788.jpg","credit":"Getty Images ","published":1603231787,"caption":"

True or false: True

After the Dolphins opened the season at 1-3, and there were calls for Ryan Fitzpatrick to lose his job.

Head coach Brian Flores stayed the course and the veteran got the Fins back to 3-3 with wins over the 49ers and New York Jets. Now heading into their bye with Fitzpatrick playing well, the Dolphins are in the thick of the AFC playoff race.

And they don't care.

The Dolphins have made the decision to insert Tagovailoa as the starting quarterback when they return from their bye to face the Rams in Week 8.

Yes, they are 3-3 and Fitzpatrick is playing well. But there's no reason to try and fight to be 8-8 or 9-7 for one year. That's a losing franchise's mentality.

The Dolphins want to know what they have for the future. They gave Tagovailoa six weeks to sit and learn behind one of the best veterans in the business.

Miami also owns the Houston Texans' (1-5) first-round pick, so they want to know if Tagovailoa is the franchise signal-caller they believe him to be. With the off chance they get the No. 1 pick and have a shot at Trevor Lawrence, they have to know what they have.

"},{"title":"The next two weeks will define the 49ers' season","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Kittle_G_McGlinchey_M_Getty.jpg","credit":"Getty Images","published":1603289803,"caption":"

True of false: True

The 49ers kept their playoff hopes alive with a Week 6 win over the Los Angeles Rams. After getting walloped by the Miami Dolphins in Week 5, Kyle Shanahan threw the kitchen sink at the Rams knowing that falling to 2-4 would almost certainly bury the 49ers' "Revenge Tour."

Good offensive line play, a power rushing attack and short, quick passes from Jimmy Garoppolo allowed the 49ers to dice up the Rams and get back to .500.

Now, the 49ers will travel to New England to face the Patriots before going to Seattle to face the undefeated Seahawks.

These next two games, and whether or not the 49ers are able to survive them with their heads still above water, will define the 49ers' season.

The Patriots are banged up on the offensive line and have very few weapons to attack a hobbled 49ers defense with. If they are able to keep Cam Newton from beating them with his legs, the 49ers should be able to leave Foxboro with a win and get back above .500 for the first time since Week 3.

A win at Gillette Stadium will give the 49ers some room for error against the Seahawks and the No. 1 ranked passing offense by DVOA. The 49ers' secondary is banged up, and while the unit is getting healthier, Russell Wilson and Co. don't present a good matchup for them at the moment.

If the 49ers can't knock off a wobbly Patriots team this Sunday, that makes the Week 8 game in Seattle a must-win. Falling to 3-5 in the packed NFC is almost certainly a playoff death sentence, especially with the Packers, Saints, Rams and Bills following on the schedule.

Put plain and simple: If the 49ers want to keep their heartbeat going, getting out of these next two games at 1-1 is critical. The ship has a few holes in the hull and can't withstand back-to-back losses.

"}]}

NFL Week 7 true or false: 49ers' next two games will define season?